Mathematics in the Primary Classroom (Mathematics Specialisation)
Overview
This unit prepares pre-service teachers to plan, teach and assess mathematics in the primary classroom. Mathematical concepts related to relevant National and/or State or Territory curriculum documentation will be explored, along with practical pedagogical approaches that support and extend mathematical learning. Pre-service teachers will also be introduced to the key theoretical ideas underpinning mathematics education. In addition, this unit offers a ‘Primary Specialisation’ stream, enabling students to develop additional depth of understanding in terms of expert content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge and highly effective classroom teaching.
Requisites
Rule
EDU30015 Curriculum and Pedagogy for Primary: Practicum 3P
OR
EDU30003 Curriculum, Planning and Assessment for Infants: Practicum 3E
AND
EDU20002 Mathematics in Practice
AND
237.5 credit pints in:
BA-EDUPRI (1) Bachelor of Education (Primary)
OR
BA-EDECP (S) Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)
08-June-2025
08-February-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Plan mathematics lessons and units using the structure and content of the relevant National and/or State or Territory Curriculum
- Examine the development of mathematical concepts throughout the primary years of schooling and relate it to the development and structure of the relevant National and/or State or Territory Curriculum
- Investigate and plan pedagogical approaches to mathematics in the primary years for diverse learners
- Develop appropriate and inclusive methods and structures for the planning and assessment of Mathematics
- Compare and critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of various forms of assessment in Mathematics Education including record keeping and reporting strategies
- Develop strong links between relevant contemporary mathematics literature, mathematics pedagogical literature and their teaching practice
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Class | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| On-campus Class | 2.00 | 6 weeks | 12 |
| Specified Activities Various | 4.00 | 12 weeks | 48 |
| Unspecified Activities Various | 6.50 | 12 weeks | 78 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 12.50 | 12 weeks | 150 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Individual | 60% | 1,3,4,5,6 |
| Report | Individual | 40% | 2,5,6 |
Content
- Theoretical ideas underpinning mathematics education
- Historical developments of the mathematics curriculum
- Curriculum content for mathematics teaching and learning
- Conceptual understandings in mathematics teaching and learning
- Procedural knowledge for mathematics teaching and learning
- Mathematical pedagogical content knowledge
- Tools for planning, assessing and reporting student learning in mathematics
- Differentiation in mathematics education
- Differentiation in the mathematics classroom
- Relevant National and/or State or Territory Curriculum
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.